UDINE. Champions of Italy: memory that does not fade. But on the contrary, forty-one years later, he brings back the protagonists of that ride in the Primavera tournament back on the field.
From Trombetta to Miano, from Cinello to Furlani and Ermacora. Up to “Gigi” De Agostini, the landlord. In fact, the turf of the “De Agostini Academy” in Savorgnano del Torre, the thriving sports center erected, with his wife and children, by the former national team player. The occasion, the memory. Of the title obtained by Udinese Primavera in the ’80 / ’81 season. Of the unforgotten absent, who have passed away in recent years.
It is therefore to them that the thoughts of those present go before the kick-off: «We are here – begins De Agostini – to celebrate the championship won many years ago, albeit with a bit of sadness. We therefore dedicate this moment to those who are no longer there, to our friends who died prematurely ».
To the deputy of the time, Paride Tumburus, but also to staff members and companions: “The goalkeeper Pazzagli, Cecotti, Sex, Loris Dominissini”. Duty minute of silence, then the final preparations begin.
“Who plays?” Someone asks. Thus the curtain is released, a stampede that removes Mr. Enzo Ferrari from any kind of embarrassment. Among the guests of the great event, the former coach and supporter of the Juventus enterprise observes the sides of him, wearing a commemorative shirt.
And oppose an Academy selection. Performing, fierce. Five on one side, five on the other: it begins. Phases of study characterize the start of the race: the two teams try to circulate the sphere in search of an opening towards the net. The old glories, however, end up in the long run to give their opponents the ball of the game: waiters, they trust in the possibility of acting as a throw-in, supported by an enviable touch of the ball.
To legitimize the game plan of the bianconeri, between the posts, a punctual Massimo Radina, a journalist voted to the cause for this special day. A few minutes, however, and the pressure of the Academy leads to the 1-0 goal. The acute does not stun the former Primavera players.
The fatigue of the past years, however, a little yes. Space then for the first changes on the bench. And, as the heat begins to be felt, a small break is welcomed by most with considerable relief. Someone on the sidelines jokes, lingers on the water. Others, on the report only for the sake of signature, reluctantly expose the reasons for their respective forfeits: scars and ailments dictated by time.
Mister Ferrari, from the bench, therefore calls his boys to order: «So !?». We go to meet him. With him there is also the former general manager Franco Dal Cin: «The merit of what has been done also belongs to him – reveals the coach -, to the vision he had of football. Together we managed to find good raw materials and we created this beautiful group. The Scudetto year was very happy, we did something historic ».
Something to remember. “It’s nice to see all the boys again, I still feel them mine. I don’t want to exaggerate, but I can say that I have a father-children relationship with them ».
He proves it in the attitude reserved by each player to their former coach. The atmosphere is familiar, festive. Despite a score that gradually becomes more merciless towards the bianconeri. Another pause, therefore, and other memories.
In particular, the double championship final won against Roma. In the first leg, Udinese beat the capitolini 2-0 at “Friuli”: Trombetta and Koetting scored on 18 ‘and 25’ of the second half. On the return, on 11 June, they were defeated at the “Tre Fontane” 1-0. Painless.
Sportingly speaking: “From the stands it rained everything – says Maurizio Trombetta -: spit, cans and so on”. With risk for the safety of the bianconeri. «But in the end we managed to take the title home, with enormous pleasure. We were a good group, with Friulian traction with some reinforcements from Conegliano.
Unfortunately, it was another football. Being here for this anniversary is really nice: then the fact that many of us have remained in football gives even more satisfaction ».
The match, therefore, proceeds towards its conclusion. Cinello unlocks his with a compromised score; De Agostini, “on fire”, shortens. Paolo Miano also scored. Who, after the race, however, shows a slightly annoyed air: «It was not a very competitive match. Sorry because you realize that certain things you did before you can no longer do them ».
Words from an athlete, competitive and winning. Thoughts which are then replaced, in any case, by the satisfaction of what we have just experienced: «It’s nice to celebrate this occasion. It is an important anniversary for the history of Udinese. Also for this reason, perhaps, I am a little surprised that the club itself did not intervene ».
On the way to the locker rooms, Mr. Ferrari still dispenses advice to his boys: “You should have kicked with the neck in that action, not flat,” he notes to De Agostini. The next break is momentary. After a shower, in fact, all “Al fullback”, the Academy’s tavern.
Between one glass and the next, the story emerges again. Udinese’s company resurfaces and what made it possible: the people, the ideas. The harmony of a group that, in 2022, chose to celebrate and commemorate. To relive a glorious past.
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